Birmingham AL vs Colorado Springs CO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Birmingham
199,322
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Birmingham
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Birmingham
35.9
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Birmingham
4.4%
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
White
Birmingham
25.6%
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Colorado Springs +
Black
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Birmingham
1.4%
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Hispanic
Birmingham
4.9%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Birmingham
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 199,322 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 4.4% | 7.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 25.6% | 72.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Black | 67.1% | 5.8% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 1.4% | 3.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 4.9% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Birmingham
$44,376
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Income
Birmingham
$31,616
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Colorado Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Birmingham
$51,690
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Birmingham
6.1%
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Colorado Springs +
Poverty Rate
Birmingham
25.2%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Birmingham
30.7%
Colorado Springs
41.9%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $44,376 | $83,198 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,616 | $44,893 | Colorado Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 5.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.2% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.7% | 41.9% | Colorado Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Homeownership Rate
Birmingham
45.1%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $137,201 | $451,202 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.1% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 512 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 3234 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
42.2%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
19.2%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Birmingham
18.5%
Colorado Springs
18.0%
Colorado Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
11.2%
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Colorado Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Birmingham
16.6%
Colorado Springs
11.0%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 18.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 9.9% | Colorado Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.1% | 16.5% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.6% | 11.0% | Colorado Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
63.3°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Birmingham
53.7 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.3°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.7 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Birmingham
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Birmingham
23.2 min
Birmingham +
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
| Metric | Birmingham, AL | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.2 min | 24.1 min | Birmingham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Colorado Springs leads in median household income at $83,198, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 5.5%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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